Close call for cops and their dogs in horror crash

TWO police officers and their dogs were lucky to survive a horror crash in Port Elizabeth yesterday when their vehicle ploughed into the back of a truck.

The officers walked away from the mangled wreck of their vehicle with just cuts and bruises – while their dogs were not even injured.

The police vehicle is a write-off due to the damage caused in the crash, on Commercial Road at about 3am.

Surprisingly, the truck driver was not injured. The truck was slightly damaged.

Constable Clinton Spannenberg, 31 and Constable Ramano Naidoo, 25, were taken to hospital, but discharged at 9am.

Their dogs, Corra, a Rottweiler, and Gavin, a Labrador, were in kennels at the back of the vehicle.

Naidoo’s dog, Corra, is used for patrols and Gavin, Spannenberg’s dog, is trained to sniff out endangered species.

An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the crash.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the police vehicle crashed into the back of a moving truck, which was travelling in the same direction.

“The two police members received information about a car and were in pursuit when the accident occurred,” she said.

“As a precaution, both police dogs are under observation by our veterinary specialist at the K9 Unit.”

Naidu said both officers had escaped relatively unscathed, but were taken to hospital for cuts and bruises.

“They are shaken from the accident and have been booked off to recuperate.

“At this stage, both police officials still have to be interviewed to explain what had transpired.”

• Between December 1 and yesterday, 55 people have died in 151 accidents on the Eastern Cape’s roads, while nationally more than 800 people have died.